Champ B. Tanner
American soil scientist and meteorologist
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Champ B. Tanner (November 16, 1920 – September 22, 1990) was an American soil scientist and professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, known for his research in soil physics, evapotranspiration and plant–water relationships.[1]
Champ Bean Tanner | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 16, 1920 Idaho Falls, Idaho, U.S. |
| Died | September 22, 1990 (aged 69) Middleton, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Occupation | Soil scientist |
| Known for | Research on evapotranspiration, soil–plant–atmosphere interactions; development of instruments for measuring plant water loss |
| Awards | Fellow, American Society of Agronomy (1960) Member, National Academy of Sciences (1981) |
| Academic background | |
| Education | Brigham Young University (BS) University of Wisconsin–Madison (PhD, 1950) |
| Academic work | |
| Institutions | University of Wisconsin–Madison |
Background
Tanner was born in Provo, Utah, and graduated from Brigham Young University in 1942.[2][3][4] He later earned his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in 1950.[5] He joined the University of Wisconsin faculty in the late 1940s and became a leading figure in soil science and biometeorology.[6] His research focused on water use in plants, evaporation, and the interaction of soil, climate, and agriculture.[7][8][9] Tanner became an international authority on evapotranspiration and heat exchange at the earth’s surface.[10][11]
He was named a fellow of the American Society of Agronomy in 1960.[12] He later received a Fulbright grant to lecture in Australia and Papua New Guinea.[13] While in Oceania, Tanner attended and chaired multiple international scientific meetings.[14][15]
During his career, Tanner developed instruments for measuring plant water loss and contributed to advances in agricultural and environmental science.[16] In 1981, he was elected to the National Academy of Sciences, one of the highest honors for a U.S. scientist.[16]
Tanner was active in professional societies and received numerous honors for his contributions to soil science.[17][18] He remained on the University of Wisconsin faculty for over three decades.[19]
Champ Tanner died in 1990 at the age of 69 from pancreatic cancer, but his contributions to science continue to influence research in soil and environmental sciences.[20]
Honors and awards
- National Academy of Sciences, elected 1981
- Soil Science Research Award, Soil Science Society of America
- Outstanding Achievement in Biometeorology Award, American Meteorological Society
Bibliography
Per OCLC WorldCat.
- Tanner, C.B. (1959). "Energy Balance Approach to Evapotranspiration from Cropped Surfaces." Soil Science Society of America Journal, 23(1), 1-8.
- Tanner, C.B., Suomi, V.E. (1960). "Evapotranspiration and Energy Balance of Plants and Soil." Journal of Geophysical Research, 65(9), 3043–3055.
- Tanner, C.B., Sinclair, T.R. (1983). "Efficient Water Use in Crop Production: Research or Re-Search?" Advances in Agronomy, Vol. 42, pp. 1-30.